Evaluation of current densities and total contact currents in occupational exposure at 400 kV substations and power lines.

This investigation studied the current densities in the neck and total contact currents in occupational exposure at 400 kV substations and power lines. Eight voluntary workers simulated their normal work tasks using the helmet-mask measuring system. In all, 151 work tasks with induced current measurements were made. Work situations were: tasks in 400 kV substations, tasks in 400-110 kV towers and the cutting of vegetation under 400 kV power lines. The average current density in the neck was estimated from the current induced in the helmet. The calculated maximum average current densities in the neck varied from 1.5 to 6.4 mA/m(2) and the maximum total contact currents from 66.8 to 458.4 microA. The study shows that the maximum average current densities and the total contact currents (caused by electric field) in occupational exposure at 400 kV substations and power lines does not exceed the limit and action values (10 mA/m(2) and 1 mA) of the new EU-directive 2004/40/EC (live-line bare-hand works excluded). (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.